Novel dihydrochalcone and process

ABSTRACT

A novel artificial sweetener compound, 3-(mhydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone and a process for preparing same, as well as other 3-arylphloropropiophenones, from aryl aldehydes and phloroglucinol.

llnited States Patent 91 Rizzi [451 Dec. 17, 1974 NOVEL DIHYDROCHALCONE AND PROCESS [52] US. Cl. 260/590, 99/141 A [51] Int. Cl. C07c 49/82 [58] Field of Search 260/590 7 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1963 Horowitz et a1 260/210 F OTHER PUBLICATIONS Zemplen et a1., Ber. Deut. Chem., 75, 645-649,

Chem. Abstracts, 7th Collective Index p. 17,0205 (1962-66).

Chem. Abstracts, Jan-June 1971, Subject Index, p. 2989s.

Inglett et a]., Journal of Food Science, 34, 101-103, (Jan-Feb 1969).

Primary ExaminerDaniel D. Horwitz Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jack D. Schaeffer; Richard C. Witte [5 7] ABSTRACT- A novel artificial sweetener compound, 3-(mhydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone and a process for preparing same, as well as other 3-ary1phloropropiophenones, from aryl aldehydes and phloroglucinol.

4 Claims, No Drawings 1 NOVEL DIHYDROCHALCONE AND PROCESS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to artificial sweetener compounds and compositions and to a process for preparing same. The novel sweetener compound, 3-(mhydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone, is disclosed.

I-Iesperetin dihydrochalcone, and alkyl homologs thereof, have been previously suggested for use as artificial sweeteners; see U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,064 (June 12, 1973); U.S. Pat. No. 3,751,270 (Aug. 7, 1973); and U.S. Pat. No. 3,743,716 (July 3, 1973).

I-Ieretofore, the preparation of arylphloropropiophenone sweeteners, such as hesperetin dihydrochalcone and its alkyl homologs, has been carried out by using various naturally occurring precursor materials such as homoneohesperetin and various flavonone glycosides (see the foregoing references). Such naturally occurring precursor materials are known to be expensive and available only in limited quantities. Furthermore, the use of naturally occurring precursor materials does not provide a method for synthesizing useful 3-arylphloropropiophenones not found in nature, e.g., the novel artificial sweetener compound, 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)- phloropropiophenone, disclosed herein. For these reasons, it is desirable to provide a process for preparing 3-arylphloropropiophenones, such as hesperetin dihydrochalcone and analogs thereof, which does not require the use of naturally occurring precursor materials.

Zemplin and Bognar, Chem. Ber., 75, 1043 (1942) disclose a method for preparing hesperetin dihydrochalcone-using glycoside intermediates. While this procedure does yield the desired hesperetin dihydrochal: cone reaction products, it is far too complex for use on an industrial scale.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel 3-arylphloropropiophenone compound, 3-(mhydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone, and sweetener 2 propiophenones, such as hesperetin dihydrochalcone, and certain analogs and homologs thereof, which does not require the use of naturally occurring precursor materials. These and other objects are obtained by this invention as will be seen from the following disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the novel compound 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone,

a process for its preparation, and sweetener compositions containing same.

The present invention also encompasses a general process for preparing 3-arylphloropropiophenones, e.g., hesperetin dihydrochalcone, and certain homologs and analogs thereof, comprising: (1) heating an aromatic aldehyde of the type hereinafter disclosed with cyanoacetie acid in the presence of certain catalysts to form a-cyanocinnamic acid derivatives; (2) reducing the a-cyanocinnamic acid derivatives prepared in Step (1) (e.g., with a sodium-mercury (Na/Hg) amalgram at room temperature) to provide the corresponding a-cyano-B-arylpropionic acid; (3) decarboxylating the a-cyano-B-arylpropionic acid prepared in Step (2) by heating (e.g., in the presence of an organic base such as quinoline) to form the corresponding B-arylpro- 'pionitrile; (4) condensing the B-arylpropionitrile prepared in Step (3) with phloroglucinol in the presence of a mild Lewis acid (e.g., zince chloride) to form a phloroglucinol condensate in the immonium salt form; and (5) boiling the immonium salt prepared in Step (4) in water to provide the desired 3-arylphloropropiophenone compound.

compositions containing same. It is a further object 40 DETAILED DESCRIPTION O H EN O herein to provide a process for preparing 3arylphloro- The reaction sequence involved herein is as follows:

. I n E NH OAc N g Step 1. ArCHO mac-cu -co H ArC c H Q 2 2 \COH 2 t g .Na n ArCH CH Step 2. Arc C\ (H20) 2 \COZH c n ste 3. a rcn cr ArCH CH C N co zncl H20 ,Steps 4. ArCH CH C N Imlne salt (W and 5 n on ArCH CH 'C OH NH 4 propiophenone is secured.

Step l') of the present process involves the catalytic condensation of an aromatic aldehyde of the type hereinabove disclosed with cyanoacetic acid to form a-cyanocinnamic acid derivatives. This initial reaction can be catalyzed by acids or bases, e.g., 0.1 molar hydrochloric acid, 0.1 molar sodium hydroxide, 0.1 molar pyridine or piperidine and the like. An especially preferred catalyst herein is ammonium acetate, which is disclosed for use in condensing cyclic aldehydes with cyanoacetic acid in Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 4, 234. While a solvent is not necessary in this condensation step, a non-polar, water-immiscible organic solvent is preferably employed. The liquid hydrocarbons, e.g., hexane, petroleum ether, light mineral oil, and the like are suitable solvents, as are liquid aromatic solvents, including benzene, xylene, and toluene. Solvents capable of forming azeotropes with water, especially benzene and xylene. are preferred in Step (1) of the present process since water can then be removed from the reaction mixture by azeotropic distillation. Step l) herein is usually carried out at a temperature from 0C to 200C. preferably 85C to 150C to minimize product decomposition and to insure removal of the water which is formed.

Step (2) of the process involves the reduction of the a-cyanocinnamic acid prepared in Step (1) by means of any of the well-known reduction procedures. For example. the use of alkali metals in combination with methanol and ethanol, the use ofthe complex metal hydrides, e.g., sodium borohydride, hydrogen gas in the presence of platinum oxide, or by means of the sodiummercury amalgams. A preferred reducing agent herein is a sodium-mercury amalgam (2 percent sodium). Suitable solvents in this step include water and aqueous alcohol solvents; water is preferred. The reduction Step (2) can be carried out at a temperature from about 30C to about 100C, preferably about 50C, to maintain a reasonable reduction rate, in the manner more fully disclosed by McRae and Vinning, Can. .1. Res. 6, 409 (1932).

Step (3) herein involves the decarboxylation of the a-cyano-B-arylpropionic acid prepared in Step (2). This decarboxylation can be effected by heat (c'a. 200C). However, the decarboxylation of the a-cyano-B-arylpropionic acids is preferably catalyzed by means of an organic base such as quinoline, pyridine, triazine, 8-hydroxyquinoline and the like. Excess organic base can be used as a solvent in the decarboxylation Step (3 or the reaction can be done without solvent. The base-catalyzed decarboxylation, which is preferred, is carried out by heating the a-cyano-B- arylpropionic acid in the presence of the organic base (at least 0.1 mole basezl mole acid) at a temperature from about C to 175C. The decarboxylation is readily effected in from about 10 minutes to about one hour of heating for each mole -of a-cyano-B- arylpropionic acid being decarboxylated.

Steps (4) and (5) herein involve the condensation of the B-arylpropionitrile formed in Step (3) with phloroglucinol in the presence of a mild Lewis acid and a gaseous hydrogen halide, e.g., HCl, in the manner ofJohnston, US Pat. No. 2,789,995 (Apr. 23, 1957), incorporated herein by reference. Following the condensation, the resulting immonium salt is hydrolyzed by boiling with water. Suitable Lewis acids herein include, for example, zinc chloride, titanium tetrachloride, zinc bromide, titanium trichloride, mercuric chloride and the like. While any of the common Lewis acids can be employed in the condensation Step (4), zinc chloride is especially preferred for this use. The condensation with phloroglucinol can be carried out at a low temperature, i.e., from about -10C to about 30C, preferablyv about 0C to 10C to control the rapid rate; an anhydrous, aprotic solvent such as diethyl ether or diglyme is used.

Reaction of the B-arylpropionitriles with phloroglucinol in the presence of the Lewis acid results in the formation of the immonium salt of the phloroglucinoI-B- arylpropionitrile condensate. This reaction product is not isolated herein, but is hydrolyzed directly. This hydrolysis, with loss of ammonium chloride, is effected by adding at least one mole of water per mole of immonium salt to the reaction mixture from Step (4) and boiling the mixture. This hydrolysis usually requires from about 5 minutes to about one hour of boiling per mole of salt being decomposed. The 3-arylphloropropiophenone product is recovered by'crystallization.

In a preferred mode, the process herein is carried out by admixing an aryl aldehyde of the type hereinabove disclosed with cyanoacetic acid 1 1:1 mole basis) in the presence of a catalytic amount (ca. 0.1 mole equivalent) of ammonium acetate in sufficient benzene solvent to dissolve the reactants. The reaction mixture is heated in a vessel fitted with a distilling head and water and benzene are removed as an azeotr'ope. Following removal of allthe formed water, the a-cyanocinnamic acid derivative of the aryl aldehyde is recovered by filtration. The a-cyanocinnamic acid aldehyde derivative is then suspended in water and stirred while about 1 equivalent of sodiummercury amalgam is added portionwise. The temperature is maintained at about 30C to 50C by the rate of amalgam addition. The watersoluble salt of the corresponding a-cycano-flarylpropionic acid is formed. The reaction mixture is decanted from the residual mercury, acidified and extracted with ether. The a-cyano-B-arylpropionic acid is recovered from the ether and admixed with at least 0.1 molar equivalent of quinoline and heated at about C for about one hour, until carbon dioxide evolution ceases. The quinoline is removed by HCl extraction and the resulting B-arylpropionitrile is dissolved in diethyl ether solvent. Phloroglucinol (1 mol. eq.) and zinc chloride (0.1 mol. eq.) are added and the mixture is cooled to about 0C and HCl gas is passed through the mixture. The oily product separates and crystallizes; the ether is decanted. Water is added to the residue and boiled about 1 hour. The resulting oil crystallizes and is filtered and recrystallized (H Olethanol) to yield the 3-arylphloropropiophenone.

The following examples serve to illustrate the preparation of 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone and hesperetin dihydrochalcone and analogs thereof by thepresent process, but are not intended to be limiting I thereof. The aromatic aldehydes used in the examples are commercially available.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of 3(m-Hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone Step 1. a-Cyano-m-hydroxycinnamic acid. A 300ml. round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, Y-adapter, Dean-Stark water separator, cold water condenser, and N inlet was charged with m-hydroxybenzaldehyde (26.84 g), cyanoacetic acid (17.4 g.), ammonium acetate (2 g.) and benzene (200 ml.). The mixture was stirred and vigorously reflexed for 2.0 hr. during which time nearly 1 molar equivalent of water was collected. An electrically heated oil bath (ca. 1 C) was used for heating. After water the pure compound was obtained having a m.p.

Step 2. Sodium Amalgam Reduction.

A 500 ml. three-neck round bottom flash equipped with a mechanical stirrer was charged 'with g. of crude a-cyano-m-hydroxycinnamic acid (above) and 100 ml. of water. The slurry was stirred vigorously while 250 g. of freshly prepared 2.5 percent sodium amalgam was added. The amalgam was added in roughly 50 g. portions at 5 minute intervals while the reaction temperature was maintained at about 40C (water bath). As the reaction proceeded, the yellow solid dissolved and ultimately 30 min.) a clear, nearly colorless solution was produced. After stirring 1 hour, the solution was decanted from the residue of Hg, cooled in an ice bath and acidified to pH 2 with 6N HCl. Extraction with diethyl ether followed by brine washing, ,Na SO, drying, and concentration of the ether solutio'n yielded 21.7 g. of a clear brown oil which rapidly crystallized at room temperature. NMR analysis indicated that a quantitative yield of the desired dihydrocinnamic acid had been obtained. The product was of sufficient purity to be used in the decarboxylation step described below.

Step 3. Decarboxylation. I

A 300 ml. flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, cold water condenser, CO outlet and bubbler, and a heated oilbath was charged with 2 lg. of crude a-cyano-m-hydroxydihydrocinnamic acid (above) and freshly redistilled quinoline (10 ml.). The acid underwent smooth decarboxylation at an oil bath temperature of 150C with CO evolution ceasing after about 2.5 hr. For workup, the cooled mixture was treated with 200 ml. of 5N HCl and extracted thoroughly with several portions of diethyl ether totalling 350 ml. The ether was washed with water (l X 100 ml.), saturated NaH- C0 (4 X 50 ml.). brine (1 X 100v ml.). and dried over anhydrous Na SO Concentration of the ether solution gave 11.15 g. (69 percent yield) of ,B(m-hydroxyphenyl)propionitrile as a pale yellow solid. Recrystallization from ethyl acetate/hexane gave the pure compound as light yellow crystals, m.p. 64-66 C.

Steps 4 and 5. Condensation with phloroglucinol and hydrolysis. I

tube so arranged that gas could be bubbled through the reaction mixture was charged with 1.764 g. of,

B-(m-hydroxyphenyl)propionitrile (above), anhydrous phloroglucinol (1.533 g.;- commercial) and anhydrous diethyl ether (60 ml.). After the reactants were completely dissolved by gentle swirling at room temperature, 0.5 g. of anhydrous (fused) zinc chloride was added, the delivery tube was attached, and the mixture was cooled to 05C in an ice bath. HCl gas was then passed through the mixture at a vigorous rate for 1.75 hours. As the gas passed through the cold solution, the reaction product separated in the form of a viscous oil adhering to the walls of the flask. The mixture was then stored at 0C, protected from moisture, during which time the oily product partially crystallized (16 hrs.). The supernatant ether solution was decanted and the residual'semi-solid mass was boiled with 50 ml. of water under reflux for 2 hours. On cooling, an oil separated which rapidly crystallized. The solid filtered at 0C, washed with ice water, and dried under vacuum to yield 1.15 g. (35 percent) of 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)- phloropropiophenone. Recrystallization from 2:1 H O/EtOH gave 0.8 g. analytically pure material, mp. 231 .5-234C. The infrared and nmr spectra of this material were consistent with the proposed structure. Anal.: Calculated for C H O C, 65.69; H, 5.15; Found: C, 65.38; H, 5.36.

In the above procedure the quinoline used in the decarboxylation Step (3) is replaced by an equivalent amount of pyridine and triazine, respectively, and equivalent results are secured. Using the same procedure, the organic base is deleted and the temperature is increased to ca. 210C and decarboxylation occurs in equivalent fashion.

1 EXAMPLE 11 Preparation of Hesperetin Dihydrochalcone Step 1. ot-Cyano3-hydroxy-4-methoxycinnamicacid.

A 1000 ml. l-neck round flask equipped with a metration, washed with benzene, and air dried to yield 113.5 g. percent) of a granular, bright yellow solid. The crude product, which still contained a small amount of ammonium acetate was entirely suitable for direct reduction via sodium amalgam (below). After recrystallization from boiling water, the pure compound was obtained having a m.p. of 280-282C.

Step 2. Sodium Amalgam Reduction.

A 500 ml. three-neck round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer was charged with 20 g. of

acid

crude a-cyano-3-hydroxy-4-methoxycinnamic (above) and 100 ml. of water. The slurry was stirred vigorously while 250 g. of freshly prepared 2.5 percent sodium amalgam was added. The amalgam was added in roughly 50 g. portions at five minute intervals while the reaction temperature was maintained at about 3040C (water bath). As the reaction proceeded, the

yellow solid dissolved and ultimately 30 min.) a clear, nearly colorless solution was produced. After stirring 1 hour, the solution was decanted from the residue of Hg, cooled in an ice bath and acidified to pH 2 with 6N HCl. Extraction with diethyl ether, followed by brine washing, Na- SO, drying, and concentration of the ether solution yielded 20 g. of a clear brown oil which rapidly crystallized completely at room temperature. NMR analysis indicated that a quantitative yield of the desired dihydrocinnamic acid had been obtained. The product was of sufficient purity to be used in the decarboxylation step described below.

Step 3. Decarboxylation.

A 100 ml. round bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, cold water condenser, CO outlet and bubbler, and a heated oil bath was charged with 14.9 g. of crude oz-cyano-3-hydroxy-4-methoxydihydrocinnamic acid (above) and freshly redistilled quinoline (8 ml.). The acid underwent smooth decarboxylation at an oil bath temperature of l50-155C with CO evolution continuing 45 min. The mixture was then heted one hour at 165C (oil bath) and permitted to cool to room temperature. For workup, the cooled mixture was treated with 500 ml. of 1N HCl and extracted thoroughly with several portions of ether totalling 350ml. The ether was washed with water (1 X 100 ml.), saturated NaHCO (4 X 50 ml.), brine (1 X 100 ml.), and finally dried over anhydrous Na SO,. concentration of the ether solution gave 8.3 g. (70 percent yield) of B-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)propionitrile as a pale yellow solid. Recrystallization from ethyl acetate/hexane gave the pure compound as light yellow crystals, m.p. 82C (62 percent yield of recrystallized product).

Steps 4 and 5. Condensation with Phloroglucinol and Hydrolysis.

A 100 ml. pear shaped flask equipped with a delivery tube so arranged that gas could be bubbled through the reaction mixture was charged with 2.131 g. B-(3- hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-propionitrile (above), anhydrous phloroglucinol (1.533 g.; commercial), and anhydrous diethyl ether (60 ml.). After the reactants were completely dissolved by gentle swirling at room temperature, 0.5 g. of anhydrous (fused) zinc chloride was added, the delivery tube was attached, and the mixture was cooled to 5C in an ice bath. HCl gas was then passed through the mixture at a vigorous rate for 2 hours. As the gas passed through the cold solution, the reaction product separated in the form of a viscous oil adhering to the walls of the flask. The mixture was then stored at 0C, protected from moisture, during which time the oily product partially crystallized 16 hrs. The supernatant ether solution was decanted and the residual semi-solid mass was boiled with 25 ml. of water under reflux for 1.5 hour. On cooling, an oil separated which rapidly crystallized. The solid was filtered at 0C, washed with ice water, and dried under vacuum to yield 1.608 g. (44 percent) of hesperetin dihydrochalcone, m.p. l l8138.5C. Two recrystallizations from 2:1 H O/EtOH gave analytically pure material,

m.p. 142.5-146.5C., dec. Anal: Calculated for C H O -l/2 H O: C, 61.4; H, 5.4. Found: C, 61.19; H, 5.41.

In Step l) of the above procedure, the isovanillin is replaced by an equivalent amount of 3-hydroxy-4- propoxyben'zaldehyde and the hesperetin dihydrochalcone homolog, 3-(3-hydroxy-4-propoxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone is secured.

In Step (2) of the above procedure thea-cyano-3- hydroxy-4-methoxycinnamic acid is reduced with one equivalent of sodium borohydride in aqueous ethanol (1:1 vol.) and the desired dihydrocinnamic acid is secured.

in Step (4) of the above process the zinc chloride is replaced by an equivalent amount of zinc bromide, titanium tetrachloride and stannic chloride, respectively, with equivalent results. The HCl is replaced with HBr, with equivalent results,

Sweetener Compositions As in the case of the dihydrochalcone sweeteners (see the U.S. Pat Nos. 3,739,068; 3,751,270 and 3,743,716 above) 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone is not substantially water-soluble but exhibits its sweetener properties when properly dissolved. Once dissolved, in conjunction with various solvents, natural oils and the like, it is suitable for use as artificial sweetener compositions and to enhance the natural sweetness of certain poly-ols and sugars. Therefore, the sweetener compositions of this invention comprise 3- (m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone dissolved in certain solvents as hereinafter defined. In its method aspects, this invention comprises a method for potentiating the sweetness of certain sugars and poly-01s, and a method for sweetening foods, beverages, dentifrices,

chewing gums, mouthwashes and other ingestible compositions.

Suitable solvents for the sweetener compositions containing 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone include the group consisting of ingestible, polar, organic liquids, and mixtures of said ingestible, polar, organic liquids and water containing at least about 0.15 percent by weight of said ingestible, polar, organic liquids. Such solvents include the members of the herein after disclosed classes of polar, organic liquids, especially those detailed in the list of permitted food additives periodically prepared and issued by the United States Food &-Drug Administration and published in the Federal Register, and commonly referred to as the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list. Another group of ingestible organic solvents useful herein are the polar, organic liquids classified as safe for limited use in foods under the provisions of regulation 121.1164 of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

For example, liquid aldehydes and ketones, e.g., acetophenone, 3-decen-2-one, isopulegone and the like, all dissolve the 3-(m-'hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone and provide sweetener compositions.

A variety of liquid alcohols, e.g., ethyl alcohol, cedrol, 3-hexen-1-ol, neopentyl alcohol, l-decanol, sorbitan monooleate polyoxyethylene and the like, are all suitable for use singly, in admixture one with another, and in water, to solubilize the 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropi'ophenone and thereby provide artificial sweetener compositions.

The liquid organic acid esters of the formula RCOOR, wherein R represents straight-chain and branched alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, are a preferred class of solvents for use herein. The usefulness of such esters arises both because of their good solvent properties and by virtue of the fact that many esters are suitable for prolonged ingestion, themselves being major components of most natural flavor oils. Non-limiting examples of esters useful asingestible, polar, organic liquid solvents herein include: pentyl penisoamyl acetate and isobutyl valerate, all of which are suitable for use singly, in admixtures, and with water, in the sweetener compositions herein.

Low molecular weight organic acids, e.g., acetic acid and aqueous solutions thereof such as vinegar, are also suitable for use as the solvent herein.

Similarly, various naturally-occurring and synthetically-reconstituted flavor oils which are obtainable from plants are suitably employed to'solubilize the 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone used in this invention, thereby providing sweetener compositions. It is not possible to specify with certainty the compositions of these various oils other than that they are highly complex liquid mixtures containing polar organic compounds such as lactones, ketones, aldehydes, thiols, carboxylic acids and acid esters. Some flavor oils contain nitriles, imides, organonitrates and the. like. A long history of use by humans has shown that such flavor oils are physiologically acceptable and they are thus also preferred for use as ingestible organic solvents herein. Often, such flavor oils are employed with ethyl alcohol and 1,2-propylene glycol to provide various extracts, tinctures and concentrates containing said oils and it is a contemplated mode of the practice of this invention that such solutions can be used herein to provide sweetener compositions. These naturallyoccurring, ingestible organic solvent oils can also be used with water and any of the above-noted preferred liquids as a co-solvent. Nonlimiting examples of flavor oils suitable for use as solubilizing agents for 3-(mhydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone include: oil of sweet'birch, oil of spearmint, oil of Wintergreen, oil of sassafras, cedar wood oil, anise oil, pine oil, dill oil, celery seed oil, various citrus oils including lemon, orange, 1

lime, tangerine and grapefruit oils, clove oil, peppermint oil, cassia, carrot seed oil, cola concentrate, ginger oil, angelica oil and the like, singly and in admixtures, and all such oils can be used in the practice of this invention to dissolve 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone to provide sweetener compositions. These oils are obtained from the appropriate plant sources by extraction in the manner well-known to those skilled in the art.

Any of the above-described ingestible, polar, organic liquids can be used in conjunction with water to .provide aqueous-organic solvent systems useful in the preparation of .the artificial sweetener compositions herein. For example, 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone can be dissolved in ethyl alcohol and then diluted with water to yield a 0.002 molar solution of said phloropropiophenone containing five percent ethyl alcohol, which composition is suitable for sweetening foods and beverages.

The 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone is also suitable forenhancing the natural sweetness of certain sugars, sugar alcohols (i.e., the poly-ols formed by reduction of natural sugars) and glycerol. For example, co-dissolution of 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone with sugars such as glucose, fructose, lactose, mannose and cellibiose using an organic, or, preferably a mixed aqueous-organic solvent of the type disclosed above, substantially enhances the sweetness of the sugar. In like fashion, co-dissolution of 3- (m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone with the excompositions include xylitol,

emplary sugar alcohols xylitol, mannitol and sorbitol, as well as with glycerol, substantially enhances the natural sweetness of these poly-01s. Again, it is to be recognized that it is a critical aspect when using 3-(mhydroxyphenyl)-phloropropiophenone to enhance the sweetness of the various poly-ols and natural sugars, that said 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)-phloropropiophenone be co-dissolved therewith by means of any of the foregoing polar, organic liquids or water containing at least about 0.15 percent of said organic liquids.

Accordingly, the present invention encompasses sweetener compositions comprising from about a 5 X 10' molar to about 2.0 molar, preferably about a 5 X 10' to about 1.0 molar, concentration of 3-(mhydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone and a solvent selected from the group consisting of ingestible, polar, organic liquids of the type hereinabove disclosed and mixtures of said ingestible, polar, organic liquids and water containing at least about 0.15% by weight of said ingestible, polar, organic liquids. Preferred ingestible polar, organic liquids useful in the compositions herein include ethyl alcohol, l,2-dihydroxypropane, acetic acid, ethyl acetate, sorbi-tan monooleate polyoxyethylene, isoamyl acetate, isoamyl valerate, butyl butyrate, isobutyl propionate, as well as the natural oils such as spearmint oil, peppermint oil, cola extract, citrus oils, and the like, disclosed above, and mixtures thereof.

The present invention also encompasses sweetener compositions comprising from about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of a poly-o1 compound of the formula HOCH (Cl-1OH'),,CH OH wherein n is an integer from 1 to 4, and 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone codissolved at a weight ratio of poly-o1: 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone in the, range from about 1:10 to 1:1, preferably from about 1:10 to about 1:10, in a solvent of the type herein above disclosed. Preferred poly-01s in said sweetener sorbitol, mannitol and glycerol. I

The present invention also encompasses sugar containing sweeteners comprising from about -2 percent to about percent by weight of .a natural sugar selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, frutose, lactose, mannose and cellibiose and 3-(mhydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone codissolved in a solvent of the type herein'above disclosed at a weight ratio of sugar to 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiop-henone from about 1:10" to about 1:1, more prefer ably from about 1:10 to about 1110 The following examples illustrate the sweetener compositions of this invention, but are not intended tobe limiting thereof. In each instance, the 3-(mhydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone is dissolved in the ingestible organic solvent by stirring at 30C to 50C. When water is used in the compositions as a cosolvent, the 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone is conveniently pre-dissolved in the organic solvent and the resulting solution is mixed with the water.

EXAMPLE 111 I Five .grams of 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenorie are dissolved in 100 g. of ethyl alcohol and,

1,000 g. of water is admixed therewith. The resulting without further treatment.

EXAMPLE 1v EXAMPLE V A concentrated, non-aqueous sweetener composition having an intense sweetness is prepared in the following manner: 10 g. of 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone is dissolved in 100 g. of ethyl alcohol. The resulting solution is suitable for use as a highly concentrated sweetener composition without further treatment.

EXAMPLE Vl One-half gram of 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone is dissolved in a mixture of 1,000 g. of water and 50 g. of sorbitan 'monooleate polyoxyethylene with gentle warming. The resulting solution is suitable for use as a sweetener composition without further treatment.

EXAMPLE VII One-tenth part of 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone is dissolved in 10 parts of isoamyl acetate and the resulting solution provides a banana-flavored sweetener composition.

EXAMPLE Vlll EXAMPLE IX 5 X 10 mole of 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone is dissolved in 15 mLofa synthetic pineapple oil (corresponding to winter fruit) consisting of 2.91 parts ethyl acetate, 0.61 parts acetaldehyde, 0.45 parts methyl n-valerate, 0.60 parts methyl isovalerate, 1.40 parts methyl isocaproate and 0.75 parts methyl caprylate and thence diluted to one liter with a solution of 50 parts mannose in l parts water. The natural sweetness of the mannose is enhanced and a pineapple flavored sweetener composition is provided.

EXAMPLE X A sweetener composition having a spearmint flavor is prepared as follows: X 10 mole of 3-(mhydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone is dissolved in I000 ml. of water in which is'dissolved 0.15 percent spearmint oil and a mixture of 20 g. sucrose and 20 g.

fructose by heating for 10 minutes at 60C. The sweetness of the sucrose-fructose, combination is substantially enhanced.

The spearmint oil is replaced by oil of sweet birch, oil of Wintergreen, oil of sassafras, cedar wood oil, anise oil, pine oil, dill oil, celery seed oil, lemon oil, lime oil, orange oil, grapefruit oil, tangerine oil, peppermint oil, clove oil, cassia, carrot seed oil, cola concentrate, ginger oil, angelica oil and mixtures thereof, respectively, and sweetener compositions of the corresponding flavors are secured.

EXAMPLE XI One-half part of 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone is dissolved in 10 parts bitter almond oil and the resulting solution is added to a solution of 700 parts sorbitol in 1,000 parts water. The weak natural sweetness of the sorbitol is enhanced and an almond-flavored sweetener composition is provided.

The bitter almond oil is replaced by oil of sweet birch, oil of spearmint, oil of Wintergreen, oil of sassafras, cedarwood oil, anise oil, pine oil, dill oil, celery seed oil, lemon oil, lime oil, orange oil, grapefruit oil, tangerine oil, peppermint oil, clove oil, cassia, carrot seed oil, cola concentrate, ginger oil and angelica oil,

respectively, and sweetener compositions of the corresponding flavors are secured.

The sorbitol is replaced by an equivalent amount of xylitol, mannitol, glycerol and l,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutane, respectively, and equivalent results are secured.

EXAMPLE Xll Brewed coffee and tea are sweetened as follows: a sufficient volume of the sweetener composition described in Example III is added to coffee and tea, re-

spectively, such that the final concentration of dissolved 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone is about 0.005 percent by weight of the brewed beverage, or greater, according to taste.

What is claimed is:

l. 3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)phloropropiophenone.

2. A process for preparing 3-arylphloropropiophenones comprising: l heating an aromatic aldehyde of the formula ArCHO, wherein Ar is selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxyphenyl and 3-hydroxy-4- alkoxyphenyl, with cyanoacetic acid in the presence of an acid or base catalyst to form an a-cyanocinnamic acid derivative; (2) reducing the a-cyanocinnamic acid derivative prepared in Step (1) to provide the corresponding a-cyano-fl-arylpropionic acid; (3) decarboxylating the a-cyano-B-arylpropionic acid prepared in Step (2) by heating to form the corresponding ,B-arylpropionitrile; (4) condensing the ,B-arylpropionitrile prepared in Step (3) with phloroglucinol in the presence ofa mild Lewis acid to form a phloroglucinol condensate in the immonium salt form; and (5) boiling the immonium salt prepared in Step (4) in water to provide the desired 3-arylphloropropiophenone compound.

3. A process according to claim 2 wherein the aromatic aldehyde is selected from the group consisting of m-hydroxybenzaldehyde and isovanillin.

4. A process according to claim 2 wherein Step (1) is carried out using ammonium acetate .as the catalyst. 

1. 3-(M-HYDRROXYPHENYL)PHLOROPROPIOPHENONE.
 2. A process for preparing 3-arylphloropropiophenones comprising: (1) heating an aromatic aldehyde of the formula ArCHO, wherein Ar is selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxyphenyl and 3-hydroxy-4-alkoxyphenyl, with cyanoacetic acid in the presence of an acid or base catalyst to form an Alpha -cyanocinnamic acid derivative; (2) reducing the Alpha -cyanocinnamic acid derivative prepared in Step (1) to provide the corresponding Alpha -cyano- Beta -arylpropionic acid; (3) decarboxylating the Alpha -cyano- Beta -arylpropionic acid prepared in Step (2) by heating to form the corresponding Beta -aryl-propionitrile; (4) condensing the Beta -arylpropionitrile prepared in Step (3) with phloroglucinol in the presence of a mild Lewis acid to form a phloroglucinol condensate in the immonium salt form; and (5) boiling the immonium salt prEpared in Step (4) in water to provide the desired 3-arylphloropropiophenone compound.
 3. A process according to claim 2 wherein the aromatic aldehyde is selected from the group consisting of m-hydroxybenzaldehyde and isovanillin.
 4. A process according to claim 2 wherein Step (1) is carried out using ammonium acetate as the catalyst. 